Malasañers "Spanish Eyes" Wolverine Records WWR 209 - LC04926
Release date: November 14, 2014
Running time:38:09, 13 tracks
Malasañers was a side project of Carlos Del Pino and Elena Burdiel, whose main band was the punk-rock outfit Dusty Trip. The band’s name is clearly a tribute to The Dubliners. The band hailed from Malasañers, a well-known district in Madrid, and they used to play Irish standards. Some of them were gathered in their first recording, a collection of pub favourites.
Support slots with the likes of The Mahones and The Real McKenzies helped the band to gain a reputation. They also played the St.Patrick’s Day Festival in Madrid. As musicians, they felt that the Spanish circuit was too small and therefore they decided to move to Bamberg, Germany.
“Spanish Eyes” has been recorded in a couple of studios in Madrid (Karma) and Germany (Nobody Knows) mainly by Spanish musicians with a little help from Nobody Knows frontman Max Heckel on fiddle. There is a big jump between their previous work and “Spanish Eyes”, since ALL of the songs on this debut album are self-penned songs. Some lyrics have been written by members of the Irish community in Madrid. Musically, the album follows the balladeers approach (The Dubliners, Wolfe Tones, Dublin Citry Ramblers …), but adapted to the 21st century.
The album begins with “Spanish Eyes”, a great number about the Spanish Civil War and the International Brigades. It’s a banjo and mandolin led song with an epic chorus. It’s followed by another song about the Spanish War of Independence, "King's Shilling", and “Still Alive”. IMHO, fiddle and tin whistle are a little bit hidden in the mix in these numbers, something that is fixed on the next tracks.
“Drunk and Single in Madrid” is the catchiest song on “Spanish Eyes”: the story of an Irishman in Madrid played with a punkabilly approach. The next song, “Listen”, has a slight The Men They Couldn’t Hang twist because of the fiddle arrangements. Track no. 6, “Rights”, is another amazing song that will please Celtic punk fans, a song complaining about the politicians who sold our rights down the river.
“The Price of a Memory” features harmonica and is followed by “Tell Why”, an interesting number on which Max’s fiddle shines. “Lucky Duckies” reminds of Mike Ness and “Siege of Drogheda” is a ballad featuring accordion.
Finally, the lively “Walking Towards the End” open the path to a couple of standouts: “Too Many Fools”, a catchy song with a Johnny Cash twist, and “Stoneheart”, another Celtic punk number.
“Spanish Eyes” has been produced by Carlos and Elena and mastered by pop-punk legend Mass Giorgini, Squirtgun member and producer/engineer of bands such as Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Huntingtons, etc. The album package is a jewel case with an eight page booklet including lyrics, credits, line-up and guests.
If you enjoy The Stompers (Barcelona) and Bizardunak (Basque Country) early albums, then grab a copy of Malasañers “Spanish Eyes”.
Release date: November 14, 2014
Running time:38:09, 13 tracks
Malasañers was a side project of Carlos Del Pino and Elena Burdiel, whose main band was the punk-rock outfit Dusty Trip. The band’s name is clearly a tribute to The Dubliners. The band hailed from Malasañers, a well-known district in Madrid, and they used to play Irish standards. Some of them were gathered in their first recording, a collection of pub favourites.
Support slots with the likes of The Mahones and The Real McKenzies helped the band to gain a reputation. They also played the St.Patrick’s Day Festival in Madrid. As musicians, they felt that the Spanish circuit was too small and therefore they decided to move to Bamberg, Germany.
“Spanish Eyes” has been recorded in a couple of studios in Madrid (Karma) and Germany (Nobody Knows) mainly by Spanish musicians with a little help from Nobody Knows frontman Max Heckel on fiddle. There is a big jump between their previous work and “Spanish Eyes”, since ALL of the songs on this debut album are self-penned songs. Some lyrics have been written by members of the Irish community in Madrid. Musically, the album follows the balladeers approach (The Dubliners, Wolfe Tones, Dublin Citry Ramblers …), but adapted to the 21st century.
The album begins with “Spanish Eyes”, a great number about the Spanish Civil War and the International Brigades. It’s a banjo and mandolin led song with an epic chorus. It’s followed by another song about the Spanish War of Independence, "King's Shilling", and “Still Alive”. IMHO, fiddle and tin whistle are a little bit hidden in the mix in these numbers, something that is fixed on the next tracks.
“Drunk and Single in Madrid” is the catchiest song on “Spanish Eyes”: the story of an Irishman in Madrid played with a punkabilly approach. The next song, “Listen”, has a slight The Men They Couldn’t Hang twist because of the fiddle arrangements. Track no. 6, “Rights”, is another amazing song that will please Celtic punk fans, a song complaining about the politicians who sold our rights down the river.
“The Price of a Memory” features harmonica and is followed by “Tell Why”, an interesting number on which Max’s fiddle shines. “Lucky Duckies” reminds of Mike Ness and “Siege of Drogheda” is a ballad featuring accordion.
Finally, the lively “Walking Towards the End” open the path to a couple of standouts: “Too Many Fools”, a catchy song with a Johnny Cash twist, and “Stoneheart”, another Celtic punk number.
“Spanish Eyes” has been produced by Carlos and Elena and mastered by pop-punk legend Mass Giorgini, Squirtgun member and producer/engineer of bands such as Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Huntingtons, etc. The album package is a jewel case with an eight page booklet including lyrics, credits, line-up and guests.
If you enjoy The Stompers (Barcelona) and Bizardunak (Basque Country) early albums, then grab a copy of Malasañers “Spanish Eyes”.
Tracklist:
01. Spanish Eyes 03:59
02. King´s Shilling 03:03
03. Still Alive 02:55
04. Drunk and single in Madrid 02:19
05. Listen 02:32
06. Rights 02:52
07. The Price of a Memory 02:34
08. Tell why 03:46
09. Lucky Duckies 02:41
10. Siege of Drogheda 03:52
11. Walking towards the Waves 02:46
12. Too many Fools 02:31
13. Stoneheart 02:35
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Review by Kinksmarkham
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